Hamilton Diary

Hamilton was born out of wedlock in Charlestown, Nevis. Orphaned as a child by his mother's death and his father's abandonment. He was recognized for his intelligence and talent, and sponsored by a group of wealthy local men to travel to New York city to pursue his education. Hamilton attended King's College (now Columbia university), choosing to stay in the Thirteen Colonies to seek his fortune. Hamilton studied military history and tactics on his own and was soon recommended for promotion. Discontinuing his studies before graduating when the college closed its doors during British occupation of the city, Hamilton played a major role in the American Revolutionary War. At the start of the war in 1775, he joined a militia company. In early 1776, he raised a provincial artillery company, to which he was appointed captain.

Hamilton was dispatched by Washington on numerous missions to convey plans to his generals. Hamilton served for four years as Washington's chief staff aide. He handled letters to Congress, state governors, and the most powerful generals in the Continental army; he drafted many of Washington's orders and letters at the latter's direction; he eventually issued orders from Washington over Hamilton's own signature. During the war, Hamilton became close friends with several fellow officers. After the war, Hamilton was elected as a representative to the Congress of the Confederation from New York and appointed by President George Washington as the first United States secretary of the Treasure on September 11, 1789. He resigned to practice law, and founded the Bank of New York.